EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Shanghai Young Bakers (SYB) is a charity organization providing a fully-sponsored training in traditional French bakery to underprivileged Chinese youth aged 17 to 23, enabling them to find qualified jobs and lead independent lives after graduation.
SYB is managed by a dynamic French-Chinese team and operates under the governance of Chi Heng Foundation.

The full-time Executive Director leads and manages the operational and strategic aspects of the organization in coordination with the program stakeholders.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide direction and leadership in the achievement of SYB’s social mission
Set the vision and landmarks for the next five years, lead planning and implementation
Manage and develop team members (8-10 full-time staff + 3-5 office interns/volunteers); build a dynamic and nurturing work culture that attracts, retains, and motivates all to grow and contribute
Coordinate relations with program partners as well as sponsors and operational partners
Oversee use of material and financial resources, decide on potential investments, and ensure economic viability

Drive corporate partnerships, fundraising efforts and new income opportunities
Secures sufficient financial resources for the program through fundraising actions, sponsorship proposals, service partnerships, in-kind donations and other appropriate methods; nurture all ensuing relationships; help design and implement appropriate CSR strategies
Represent SYB and promote cooperation opportunities at meetings and events

Lead the Social Enterprise component of the organization
Define and implement professional standards, appropriate marketing and efficient strategy to ensure an increase of commercial revenue while safekeeping the organization’s social priorities
Manage the Social Enterprise team and supervise all commercial activities (public bakery classes, corporate teambuilding workshops, catering, technical consulting)

Oversee implementation of the students training
Supervise training program organization and implementation
Evaluate training quality and lead improvements

Spearhead external communication strategy
Define and lead the external communication strategy
Take responsibility for the design and content of all offline and online communication material
Ensure promotion of the program and sponsors’ visibility
Arbitrate on program’s participation in bakery-related events and focused social gatherings

Ensure the growth and long-term sustainability of the organization
Oversee the return of our two graduates currently in France to be trained as SYB teachers, and support the transition into their new role (June-September); lead the selection of two new graduates/students to be trained as SYB’s future bakery trainers.
Ensure high quality standards at the SYB Baking Centre to support the professional as well as commercial developments of the program; look over the renovation works (July-August) and follow up on proper arrangements and use of the space.
Review ongoing graduates’ survey analysis and reports, and take appropriate measures to follow through with continuous Monitoring & Evaluation work.
Support ongoing “Proof of Concept” feasibility study to evaluate opportunity in setting up an incubator that will increase SYB’s social impact by training other organizations to set up and develop their own social bakery program. Drive the ensuing development and scaling up plans.
Look into strengthening SYB’s governance, notably with the setup of a specific board or management committee to actively support the mission.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Dedication to work in a growing multi-cultural non-profit organization with a strong interest in social enterprise development. Committed to making a difference.
Ability to lead, influence, and make operational and strategic decisions to drive the program as a high-quality, sustainable social model.
Strong working knowledge in English, Mandarin, and ideally French (ex: able to effectively lead meetings in any of these languages)
High autonomy and sense of responsibility
Proven experience of program management in a multi-cultural setting. Good knowledge of Chinese culture and working environment.
Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, interest in the food/bakery industry